I t p a y s t o b e A B M P C e r t i f i e d : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 45
We can also make suggestions about good form, and exercise
duration and frequency. We might have ideas about warm-ups,
cool-downs, and postexercise stretching. We can point the client
to his or her exercise program director for specifi c supervision to
help prevent future injury. And if that person appears to be giving
bad advice ("suck it up"—a real response from one trainer—is not
an appropriate way to manage knee pain, for instance), then we can
suggest that our client might want to look for some other options.
Perhaps the single most valuable thing massage therapy
offers for clients who want to challenge themselves and become
more fi t and healthy is the chance to become more aware of
their own bodies, in a powerfully positive way. In this way,
they can move with intention and consciousness. Increased
body awareness and self-appreciation may be the best tools
for helping our clients increase activity levels without hurting
themselves. This is how we can help clients achieve their goals:
not with pain and injury, but with power and joy.
Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, and an NCTMB-
approved continuing education provider. She wrote A Massage Therapist's
Guide to Pathology (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2013), now in its fi fth
edition, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Werner is available
at www.ruthwerner.com or wernerworkshops@ruthwerner.com.
We can also make suggestions about good form, and exercise
duration and frequency. We might have ideas about warm-ups,
cool-downs, and postexercise stretching. We can point the client
to his or her exercise program director for specifi c supervision to
help prevent future injury. And if that person appears to be giving
bad advice ("suck it up"—a real response from one trainer—is not
an appropriate way to manage knee pain, for instance), then we can
suggest that our client might want to look for some other options.
offers for clients who want to challenge themselves and become
for helping our clients increase activity levels without hurting
themselves. This is how we can help clients achieve their goals:
Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, and an NCTMB-
A Massage Therapist's
edition, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Werner is available
Resources
Allen, T. et al. "Factors Infl uencing Muscle Damage from Isometric Exercise." British Journal
of Sports Medicine. Accessed April 2014. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24620045.
Barker, J. "Are CrossFit Enthusiasts More Prone to Injury?" Montreal Gazette. Accessed April 2014.
www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Jill+Barker+CrossFit+enthusiasts+more+prone+injury/9378469/story.html.
Bouzid, M. A. et al. "Changes in Oxidative Stress Markers and Biological Markers of Muscle Injury with Aging at Rest
and in Response to an Exhaustive Exercise." PLOS One. Accessed April 2014.
www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0090420.
Franklin, N. C. et al. "Massage Therapy Restores Peripheral Vascular Function Following Exertion." Archives of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Accessed April 2014. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24583315.
Hak, P. T. et al. "The Nature and Prevalence of Injury During CrossFit Training." Journal of Strength and
Conditioning Research. Accessed April 2014. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24276294.
Junglee, N. A. et al. "Exercising in a Hot Environment with Muscle Damage: Effects on Acute
Kidney Injury Biomarkers and Kidney Function." American Journal of Physiology–Renal
Physiology. Accessed April 2014. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23825078.
Robertson, E. "CrossFit's Dirty Little Secret." Accessed April 2014. https://medium.com/p/97bcce70356d.
